Traditional Blessing Ceremony

The Traditional Blessing Ceremony recognizes incoming American Indian / Alaskan Native students entering any of the four health professions schools at the University of Arizona. The Office of Diversity and Inclusion, with support from Michael Stoklos and the Stoklos Native American Health Education Fund, invites students to receive an American Indian Traditional Blessing offered by a local Traditional Healer.

The Blessing Ceremony was created by Carlos Gonzales, member of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and College of Medicine Alumni, and his family to bring harmony and tranquility to the spirits of our American Indian medical students as they begin their medical education at the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Through the years, Dr. Gonzales and Pedro Flores, Yoheme Traditional Healer, have presided over the Blessing and have extended their invitation to the rest of the Arizona Health Sciences community to join in.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion by phone 520-621-5531 / 800-841-5948 or email azhealth@email.arizona.edu.